9 replies to this topic

[cattledog04]

Ok, so I'm a newbie Upland hunter. Just started back up with over a 20 year layoff. I have found a good local spot and basically hike the area flushing birds myself or with my 14 year old. Each time I have gone we have got at least one covey to fly. Of course I need to improve my shooting skills because I've been skunked each time. At least I know the birds are there? Any tips? Do you chase said covey as much as possible? Are there any "flushing" tips? Anything helps? And I'm also thinking of getting a dog with the hopes to have him/her working birds by next year. Any opinions are great. Thanks.

[zippy1970]

I know it won't be much help but here I go , I saw them where I Varmint Hunted & went for them . Chased them down , pointless at times . Stalked parallel to them , got into shooting distance . And yes, sometimes followed the for 100s of yards at a time . Always getting a shot at the last few birds that held in the bushes while the others ran oft . Also don't get discouraged by the ones you hit , they go down & run off . That what they do apperantly . I watch where they go & when close enough , stalk them . I have read that when walking instead of " kickn' " bushes , just STOP ! Again just stop . I had birds flush when I did this after reading about . It works . So when walking about where you have seen them , just stop . You might get those 2-4 birds that were holding tight to that bush / scrub . Also if you want some great answers besides asking , yes you will get some great advise . I did . It helped . Try the search button for " upland hunting " , just type in ' Quail " there will be TONS of stories . I did it for how to cook my Quail . Some great recipes on here too . Also " point " at the bird , no lead . That helped millions for me . I was behind most / all of my birds until I read that . Lots of great people here that are willing to help you get some birds . Just don't ask where I / they specifically hunt Andy

[Mac1124]

The most successfull way I found to hunt quail without the help of a dog is to hunt moving uphill. The main reason is if you flush birds going down often they will fly a fair distance in front of you, going uphill they fly a shorter distance and regroup faster. Any downed birds should be taken quickly, if you take your eye off of them they are difficult to spot and will get up and run in many cases, then it will be almost impossible to find them.

[Bisley]

I have read that when walking instead of " kickn' " bushes , just STOP ! Again just stop . I had birds flush when I did this after reading about . It works . So when walking about where you have seen them , just stop . You might get those 2-4 birds that were holding tight to that bush / scrub .

Almost like magic, isn't it. The next best thing to having a dog. The funny thing is, you won't find it in any books or magazine articles about doing it, it's just one of those things we've learned in the family while chasing them. Glad it worked for ya. Cattledog, are you looking for an unabridged dictionary version (how much do you want to read?) or the Cliff's notes (certain questions?) Just curious before telling you a bunch of stuff you either already know or in case you don't want to read a that much

[dangerranger]

have you thought about a bird club? its kind of expencive for just the hunting but what else you would get out of it is exposure to lots more birds. and the education that comes with it. if you are concidering a dog you would get a chance to shoot over several dogs. you would learn what to expect from your dog. most clubs also have dog trainers and sell dogs in various stages of training. a good trainer will also want to work with you to teach you how the dog is trained and how to help the dog find more birds. DR

[cattledog04]

Almost like magic, isn't it. The next best thing to having a dog. The funny thing is, you won't find it in any books or magazine articles about doing it, it's just one of those things we've learned in the family while chasing them. Glad it worked for ya. Cattledog, are you looking for an unabridged dictionary version (how much do you want to read?) or the Cliff's notes (certain questions?) Just curious before telling you a bunch of stuff you either already know or in case you don't want to read a that much

I'm always up for reading good info., doesn't matter how much it is. Thanks everyone for the tips.

[Bisley]

Cattledog, pm sent.

[Switch]

No need to over think it. Find their food and the habitat they use and start walking. Early in the day I like to keep the sun at my back. If you flush a covey, pick a bird out. I see many rush the shot when they have a second to calmly raise the shotgun and fire. Watch the covey and where they go and you can usually pick up singles. Early in the season they'll do a lot of calling. As the season progresses, they call less and less. The hands down best advice is be able to take an accurate snap shot. I've seen people with zero experience at hunting or finding quail, get plenty of opportunities, but they just can't hit the birds. If you find the birds, it really isn't tough to drop a few. Good luck.

[sxshooter]

Cattledog,I hunted quail for years without a dog. I was pretty successful, but had to work very hard at it. The 'walk and stop for a while' advice works well when you are covering an area either you saw a covey or singles flush from or are pretty sure the spot is holding birds. Also, circling around in the area or zigzagging helps as well. Quail need good cover, water, and food. Find those in the same spot and you'll likely find quail this year. I will say that hunting with a good dog more than doubled the pleasure of hunting quail for me. I won't get into an ethics debate over hunting without a dog and not retrieving all your hit birds, but I will say that having a dog has ensured that I almost always retrieve hit birds. Very few knocked down birds over the course of the season will not be found by my dog. This in itself has about doubled my bag takehome. The dog work itself has become a pleasure to go out for. I've had a small, athletic, Lab for 5 yrs now and it's been amazing to hunt with her. She ignores all the non-game birds and focuses on quail, chukar and pheasant. It has been the best part of my hunting experience and I recently added an english pointer with professional training to my home to further my quail and chukar hunting. I highly recommend getting a dog if it's within your ability and lifestyle.For help with your shooting, consider going to a skeet, trap, or sporting clays range. Take a formal lesson and tell the instructor what you want from the lesson. Have the instructor check your gun fit. Many people may fit the "average guy" dimensions of most guns, but often enough, the gun fit is poor and needs to be altered for a proper fit. Proper fit is essential to good shooting of a shotgun. Practice shooting clays the way you hunt, low gun hold, then up to the shoulder mount. You'll find this shooting practice to help your shooting immensely.

[cattledog04]

Thanks all for the help.